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Ben Hanley to get one-off NEXTEV drive for Berlin ePrix

Ben Hanley will take part in his first Formula E race for the NEXTEV TCR team at the Berlin ePrix in two months, substituting Oliver Turvey.

The event in the German capital takes place on the same weekend as Turvey will be racing in Japan in the Super GT Championship at Autopolis and will mark the first time the British driver will miss a race for NEXTEV TCR since making his debut at the final rounds in London at the end of season one.

Hanley boasts an impressive karting record and was part of Renault’s young driver program as he finished second in the Formula Renault 3.5 championship back in 2007.

Unable to make his break, Hanley returned to karting but this year will follow-up his Formula E bow in Berlin with a LMP2 seat in the European Le Mans Series.

His impressive record was clearly enough to earn him the seat alongside current Formula E champion Nelson Piquet Jr. and Martin Leach, President of NEXTEV, was pleased to welcome Hanley on board.

“We are delighted to welcome Ben to the team for the Berlin race,” he said in a press release. “Ben has an impressive race history in both karting and single-seaters and we are confident that he is the perfect driver to fill in for Oliver.

“Although it is Ben’s first experience of racing in Formula E, we are confident that he has the right skills and attitude to do a good job for the team.”

Speaking of his delight at the opportunity, Hanley admits he can’t wait to learn the very different demands of driving in Formula E.

“Formula E has grown to be one of the most exciting racing Championships, and I’m looking forward to racing against some of the best drivers in the world,” he said.

“The technology in Formula E is very different to any other racing series, so it will be a challenge to get to grips with a very unique type of car, but I will be giving it my all to deliver the best possible result for the team. I would like to thank NEXTEV TCR for giving me this opportunity.”